It’s time for you to relax and go on a journey, but you don’t know what destination to choose. What about Iasi? Iasi is the oldest city in Romania and, from a cultural, economic and political point of view, is the most important in Moldova. Once you get there, you will follow in the footsteps of Stephen the Great, you will walk through the soul places of Mihai Eminescu, and you will discover the site where the childhood memories of Ion Creanga came to life.
Back in time, in 1408, Iasi was the cultural capital of Moldova. Now, this city offers many tourist attractions that you must visit during your trip. Here’s what you can visit during your vacation in Iasi!
The Palace of Culture
One of the most famous symbols of the city of Iasi is the Palace of Culture. It was built between 1906 and 1925 by the architect Berindei, being inaugurated by King Ferdinand of Romania.
This impressive building is home to many prestigious cultural institutions in this city and has been enhanced by its recent rehabilitation.
Within the Palace of Culture in Iasi, you will discover four museums, which will help you better understand the history and culture of Moldova and Iasi: the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Science and Technology Stefan Procopiu, the History Museum of Moldova and the Art Museum.
The Art Museum
More than 10,000 works of art in the field of painting, graphics, and sculpture are featured in exhibitions offered to the art-loving and beautiful public within the Art Museum located inside the Palace of Culture in Iasi.
The History Museum of Moldova
Designed as a pilot museum in Romania, the History Museum of Moldova in Iasi ensures the representation of the past of the whole Moldova, from the oldest times to the contemporary period.
The Museum of Science and Technology Stefan Procopiu
The Museum of Science and Technology Stefan Procopiu is home to over 10,000 pieces of reference for the evolution of sound playback, for the history of film technology and the evolution of communications. Inside it, you will discover many objects with memorial value, which belonged to valuable personalities in the field of science and technology.
The Ethnographic Museum
The lecturer Ion Chelcea ensured the organization of the Ethnographic Museum collections within the profile museum of the Palace of Culture. People who visit the Ethnographic Museum have the chance to discover the scientific, artistic, and spiritual connection with the old world of Moldova.
Copou Park
The arrangement of the famous Copou Park in Iasi began between 1833 and 1834. It houses the Monument of Constitutional Laws, the oldest monument in Romania. Also known as the Lions’ Obelisk, Mihail Singurov created it in 1834. Represented by a stone column of 15m high and weighing over 10 tons, the famous monument is a symbol of the four European powers that recognized independence of the Romanian countries.
You cannot go to Copou Park and not admire the bust of Mihai Eminescu, located next to the famous lime tree of the poet, next to which is the statue of Ion Creanga. Junimea Alley also shows the figures of other eminent personalities of Moldova, such as Veronica Micle, Costache Negruzzi, Constantin Daniel Stahi, Iacob Negruzzi, and Barbu Stefanescu-Delavrancea. Different alleys of this park hide imposing monuments dedicated to George Topirceanu, Ion Luca Caragiale, Ciprian Porumbescu and Octav-Bancila.
The Three Holy Hierarchs Monastery
Considered an architectural monument of great value in Iasi and throughout the country, the Holy Three Hierarchs Monastery draws attention through its impressive architecture and due to its unique stone decorations, which adorn the upper facades. It was initially built to inaugurate the reign of the great former voivode Vasile Lupu. It was restored from an architectural point of view between 1882 – 1887, the interior design and the painting continued until 1898.
The consecration of the sacred place took place in 1904, under the reign of King Carol I. Numerous elements that make up the interior ambiance of the Three Hierarchs Monastery belonged to King Carol I and Queen Elizabeth. Inside, you will be able to admire archery chairs and desks in gilded bronze, with unique ivory inserts, imposing chandeliers made of gilded bronze and numerous other decorative elements that offer a unique charm to the holy place.
Ion Creangă’s hut
You can visit the hut of the great Romanian storyteller, Ion Creanga, in the Ticau neighborhood in Iasi, where he lived between 1872 and 1889. He was often visited there by his good friend, Mihai Eminescu. Ion Creanga’s hut is the first memorial house in Romania, being declared a museum in 1918.
Metropolis of Moldova and Bukovina
Iasi is well-known for its spiritual burden, offering its tourists the opportunity to discover some of the most important places of worship in Moldova, including the Metropolis of Moldova and Bukovina, located in the central area of the capital of Moldova.
The Metropolis of Moldova and Bukovina is famous because it houses the relics of the Holy Cuvioose Parascheva, the protector of Moldova. Hundreds of thousands of believers go there every year, on the occasion of celebrating the city’s days to pray to the relics of St. Parascheva, who are said to have produced many miracles among the believers.
Four massive towers mark the monumental cathedral of Iasi, and its architecture is inspired by the baroque style, which marks both the decorative elements on the outside and those inside.
